Abstract: Novel enzymes and novel enzymatic pathways for the pyruvate-based synthesis of shikimate or at least one intermediate thereto or derivative thereof, nucleic acids encoding the enzymes, cells transformed therewith, and kits containing said enzymes, cells, or nucleic acid. A KDPGal aldolase is used to perform condensation of pyruvate with D-erythrose 4-phosphate to form 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP); a 3-dehydroquinate synthase is used to convert the DAHP to 3-dehydroquinate (DHQ); DHQ dehydratase can then convert DHQ to the key shikimate intermediate, 3-dehydroshikimate.

Abstract: A very low cost extruder system was tested for the inactivation of phytohemagglutinins in beans, such as but not limited to cranberry beans. Cranberry beans were extruded at either 105 or 130° C. (die end). The screw speed was 118, 194 or 255 revolutions per minute (rpm). The feed rate was set at either 85 or 120 g/min and moisture content was set at either 25 or 35%. The phytohemagglutinin activity in the extruded samples was determined in triplicate by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The very low cost extruder system inactivated active phytohemagglutinins in the extruded cranberry beans by over 98%.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material of the general formula Ag1-XMmM?Q2+m, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Pb, Sn, Ca, Sr, Ba, divalent transition metals, and combinations thereof; M? is selected from the group consisting of Bi, Sb, and combinations thereof; Q is selected from the group consisting of Se, Te, S, and combinations thereof; 8?m?24; and 0.01?x ?0.7. In embodiments of the invention, the compositions exhibit n-type semiconductor properties. In preferred embodiments, x is from 0.1 to 0.3, and m is from 10 to 18. The compositions may be synthesized by adding stoichiometric amounts of starting materials comprising Ag, M, M?, and Q to a reaction vessel, heating the starting materials to a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to melt the materials, and cooling the reaction product at a controlled rate of cooling.

Abstract: Novel enzymes and novel enzymatic pathways for the pyruvate-based synthesis of shikimate or at least one intermediate thereto or derivative thereof, nucleic acids encoding the enzymes, cells transformed therewith, and kits containing said enzymes, cells, or nucleic acid. A KDPGal aldolase is used to perform condensation of pyruvate with D-erythrose 4-phosphate to form 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP); a 3-dehydroquinate synthase is used to convert the DAHP to 3-dehydroquinate (DHQ); DHQ dehydratase can then convert DHQ to the key shikimate intermediate, 3-dehydroshikimate.

Abstract: A method for producing a plurality of thin film actuators is disclosed. The method includes depositing a film of a shape memory alloy material onto a polyimide film to form a shape memory alloy construction. The shape memory alloy construction is strained from 2 to 8%. Post processing is conducted on the shape memory alloy construction after the step of imparting a 2 to 8% strain. This post processing can be the deposition of additional layers of the slicing of the actuators. Various shape memory metal actuators are disclosed.